Status Quo? The Unfinished Business of Feminism in Canada

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Feminism has shaped the society we live in. But just how far has it brought us, and how relevant is it today? This feature documentary zeroes in on key concerns such as violence against women, access to abortion, and universal childcare, asking how much progress we have truly made on these issues. Rich with archival material and startling contemporary stories, Status Quo? uncovers answers that are provocative and at times shocking.

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“Powerful film, many important issues and highlights the challenges women still face in 2013. I was moved by the stories and the long way we, as women and society have come and still need to go. I will hold my head up high and say proudly "I am a feminist".”
— shaktiattack, 10 Mar 2013

“I have not been able to access the trailer for this film but as a current delegate to the UN Commission on the Status of Women in NYC the two comments listed above are very topical at numerous sessions- prochoice versus prolife.
Last week I heard an female Asian MD and researcher discuss trends toward "technological abuse" as she called it, meaning infanticide prior to birth of girls by abortion entirely due to the gender of the fetus, often insisted upon not because of the woman's free, enlightened choice but due to family pressure to deliver a boy. Is this aspect of women's empowerment surrounding their ability to deliver babies considered in the film?
(Dr.) Rose A. Dyson Ed.D.
Media Education Consultant”
— rosedyson, 10 Mar 2013

“Abortion was an absolute game-changer for women and a huge victory in Canada, 25 years ago.
This is not a question of women somehow "needing" an abortion in order to be "equal" to men, or downplaying our fertility. After all, most women who have abortions will go on to be mothers, so this point is completely unsubstantiated. Nor does having an abortion makes us more "like men" (uh? That HAS to be the most ridiculous argument so far). It is rather the basic right to be able to be making decisions about your body, your life, your choices, etc., without government or religious interference. And there shouldn't be anyone else than the pregnant woman making this choice.
Sure. Abortion is not the best option for every woman. But the basic point is this: the pregnant woman herself decides. Otherwise, there really IS no choice, no options for women, who will then resort to dangerous methods to end an unwanted pregnancy. The Supreme Court legalized abortion on the ground that laws restricting abortions threatened women's right to life, dignity and integrity, all rights guaranteed by the Charter.
If you're antichoice, you are neither a feminist, nor are you for life, I'm afraid. As for changing the world to be more accommodating to maternity and women? YES!! Absolutely. Real feminists have been fighting for this for decades, but antichoice "feminists" have been happy to go along with the patriarchy and have again and again showed themselves to be more than happy with the status quo.”
— Skulander, 4 Mar 2013

“Excellent film. I believe it should be required viewing for all Canadian students during their Canadian history studies.
I find the comments made by another in this forum that the film makes the "conclusion that abortion is a solution to violence against women and to societal inequality." At no point in the film did I see this asserted.
Thank you to the many women who have been active on the behalf of all women, either acknowledged/featured in this film and/or to those who have lead with their feminist hearts in their day-to-day lives. Some of the greatest challenges that feminists face are not just in the political or public arenas but also in their day-to-day lives, families, homes and community. ”
— lmgruger, 27 Feb 2013

“This film accurately presents many problems facing women today. However, as an atheist/humanist and a feminist, I disagree with the conclusion that abortion is a solution to violence against women and to societal inequality.
Women do not need abortion to be equal to men. We already ARE equal - no surgery required. The idea that we need abortion to compete on a level playing field with men ignores the reality that we are not men and should not be trying to conform to "a man's world". If our unique childbearing capacity puts us at a disadvantage in the world of business and career, the solution is not to change our bodies to be more like men (non pregnant), but rather to change our world to make it more accommodating of pregnancy and motherhood.
Daycare is definitely one such solution, but we have no urgency with which to demand better options for women so long as abortion is an acceptable fall-back solution. The woman at 57:00 to 58:20 said it best "abortion is no choice".
I believe we can do better than abortion. Women deserve real choices that don't pit us against our own children.
http://www.feministsforlife.org ”
— Kruszer, 9 Feb 2013